26 Of The Best Truck Winch Products In The Market Reviewed
Are you looking for the best truck winch to install on your vehicle? Do you know what it is exactly you’re looking for? What will you be using your winch for?
Winches come in all shapes and sizes. We’re tempted to say each one we have selected to be in our list is the best truck winch. Alas, that isn’t entirely true. Each one has its own pros and cons over the other. So, the best truck winch is the one that works best for you.
Think of a winch as an extra appendage for your truck or pickup. This will help you accomplish a lot of things within the boundaries of your truck or your winch’s rated capabilities.
Another thing that you should consider at this point is to install a hitch. In fact, installing the appropriate tires, improving your engine’s efficiency, and fortifying the build quality of your truck should be on your list of modifications if you want to make your truck a formidable and versatile tool. All of these things increase your truck’s practical value.
What Is A Winch?
A winch is a very simple mechanical device with two main parts, a spool and a crank. A wire or cable runs from the spool with a hook attached to the end. This wire or cable can be steel or synthetic material for durability. Some hooks have a locking mechanism to keep it in place during operation.
Some winches also have brakes to maintain the tension and prevent slippage. This can be activated by hand or through the use of a remote device.
Winches can be operated by hand (using a hand crank), although the more popular form are those powered by electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic means. Some are also dependent on the use of the vehicle’s internal combustion system to run.
What To Look For In A Winch
The most important feature to look for in a winch is durability. The quality of its construction should be the first thing you take notice of. Check the materials used in its construction. Will it be able to withstand the abuse it is likely to encounter during its operational lifetime?
The next thing to consider is if you’re getting an electrical winch or a mechanical one. These two have their pros and cons as well. Electrical winches are easier to install but are also notorious for overheating during operation whereas mechanical winches are large pieces of equipment that add a lot of weight to your pickup’s total weight.
Next, are you using steel cables, synthetic rope, or chains? Steel cables and chains are heavy and are not impervious to rust. Synthetic rope on the other hand is lighter but could tear apart if it has any damage present. You could use a regular length of rope as a substitute but that is far weaker than all the others mentioned beforehand.
Ease of installation is another thing to consider. Will you need an extensive amount of modification to mount it or is it as easy as bolting on screws to a frame? The former is a better option as it provides a stronger base for your winch which is needed during the operation of the equipment. Massive amounts of torque will be present when pulling with your winch.
Lastly, the extra features included in your winch. Although manufacturers will throw in a lot of extra features, the most important things are water, dust, and dirt resistance and a remote control for safety while operating your winch at a distance.
When Will You Need Your Winch?
For most people, having a winch installed is mostly used for recreational purposes. This is why winches are very popular with off-roaders. But are there any practical reasons why you would need a winch? Well, there are some and we’ve listed them here:
Let’s say you figured in an accident that damaged your truck’s frame, if your winch is still operational, you can still pull your truck on to the roadside for easy recovery. You can do the same thing if your truck starts then dies or it won’t go in gear because of the damage it has received.
Other practical applications for your winch include pulling others to safety or pulling your own vehicle onto a platform to be transported to a repair center.
One thing you shouldn’t do though is to tow another vehicle behind your own for an extended period of time. You need to remember that a winch can overheat after extended period of use. Use your winch in the shortest time possible or allow for it to cool down for everyone’s safety.
Now On To The Winches!
We’ve divided this list into three parts. The first one will include light-duty winches, the second for medium-duty winches, and the last for heavy-duty winches. They will be sub-divided further into the weight capacity. So, the only real difference between these winches is the weight they can handle.
Light-Duty Winches
Light-duty winches are small and can be installed in smaller vehicles. This is perfect if the truck you have belongs to the mini, micro, light, ute, and small truck category. These trucks weigh within the 4000 lbs limit these winches possess and can help you get out of a tight fix easily.
Should you choose to install these winches in a heavier truck, you’ll have to assist the winch and not fully depend on it to pull you out. make sure you take notice of any overheating and shut off the winch immediately for safety purposes.
1000 Pounds Pull Rate
#1: WARN 885000 PullzAll Portable Electric Winch – best truck winch
The WARN 885000 Pullzall Portable Electric Winch puts the power of the best truck winch in your hands. Take note that this winch can only handle 1000 lbs. It might seem very limited but only if you don’t have realistic expectations. If you work with this winch within its rated capability, you can achieve a lot of things.
- Manufactured in China.Fit Type: Vehicle Specific
- Easy to use
2000 Pounds Pull Rate
WARN 92000 Vehicle Mounted Electric Utility Winch – best truck winch
This is the minimum weight rating that you can install onto your pickup truck. The only downside to this is that it should only be used to assist you in getting out of a ditch. You can’t rely on this to handle the entire weight of your vehicle if it goes beyond 1,000 lbs GVWR (Gross Vehicular Weight Rating).
- Small in size so you can mount in tight spots
- 1.6 horsepower permanent magnet DC motor
3500 lbs Pounds Pull Rate
Winches belonging in this category can handle most jobs without fear of overloading the system. As long as you work within the weight limit, you won’t have any issue with these electric winches.
Orcish 3500 lbs Electric Winch – best truck winch
- 【Easy to operation】Two modes of operation Remote or Manually. Easy to operate and well-functioning wireless remote helps to operate the recovery process efficiently within 50 ft range.
- 【Exclusive design】This model is specially designed for ATV/UTV. 3500 lbs weight capacity is also a good option.
Stegodon 3500 lbs Electric Winch – best truck winch
- High-efficiency: The STEGODON 3500 lb. winch line pull powered by a 1.1kw/1.5hp output permanent magnet DC 12V motor.The reliable dynamic brake prevent the rope from sliding while loading.
- Powerfull:The 3500 lb. winch features 3-stage planetary gear train, dynamic brake, weather-sealed solenoid and circuit breaker ensure safe, reliable power in all situation.
4000 Pounds Pull Rate
Super Winch 1140220 – best truck winch
The Super Winch 1140220 is the most powerful light-weight winch in our list.
- 4,000 lbs. capacity
- Sealed 1.4 HP permanent magnet motor
You can install these winches on Jeeps and Trucks for use in emergency situations. Just make sure you assist the winch by using the Jeep or truck’s engine to power the wheels and share the vehicle’s load.
Medium-Duty Winches
Medium-Duty Winches are more versatile because they can handle more tasks. These are perfect for regular-sized pickups to light heavy trucks. Should you wish to install these on a smaller truck, you’ll have to contend with the added weight which is counter-productive to what most truck owners need.
4500 Pounds Pull Rate
ZESuper 4500 Lbs Waterproof Electric Winch – best truck winch
- 【High-efficiency】1.9 hp motor, all-metal 3-stage planetary gear system and permanent magnet motor ensure reliable muscle traction against any harsh conditions, ensuring faster linear speed under load.
- 【Stable Operation】50ft synthetic cable winch,Three-stage planetary gear system for fast line speed and sure hold.
Stegodon 4500 Lbs Electric Winch – best truck winch
- Wireless remotes control :Included two wireless remotes.Fast circuit speed and High sensitivity.Unique clutch brake system, excellent control create an easier than ever winching experience.
- Winch design is suitable for all kinds of complex situation,even when used in highly abrasive terrain such as in rocks, mud, or sand.
Fiery Red Electric Winch – best truck winch
- Massive Strength: A 1.9 HP permanent magnet DC motor, with 3 stage planetary gear system and a ratio of 153:1, delivers massive pulling capacity of 4,500lbs to recover your stuck ATV and UTV
- Superior Toughness: Made of heavy-duty steel with powder coating, this electric winch is rust and corrosion resistant, and the synthetic rope boasts a breaking strength of 23,809lbs with an automatic brake designed to keep a solid grip of it
Hantun Electric Winch – best truck winch
- [Advanced Motor]: This winch has extremely thick blade steel and magnetic tile in motor. All enameled wire made of rough pure copper can withstand higher current which brings greater tension . The gear ring is made of high-quality steel and the gear plate is made of zinc alloy which is strong and wear-resistant. So this device is more stable than others and won’t get hot when in use.
- [Poweful& Efficient] This off-road winch has a huge 4,500 lbs pulling capacity that is 30% higher than normal spec.The strong and durable 33ft steel wire cable allows for an efficient operation. The wireless remote switch and manual remote make your experience with this winch even easier.
WARN 101040 VRX 45-S PowerSports Winch – best truck winch
- 4,500 lb capacity winch; Perfect for the hardest working UTVs
- Includes 50' x 1/4" synthetic rope, hawse fairlead, and zinc-plated hook, as well as a dash-mounted control switch, corded remote control
Champion Power Equipment-14560 4500 Lbs Wireless Winch Kit – best truck winch
- Convenient – Operate the winch from anywhere within a 50-foot radius with the wireless remote and antenna, which automatically powers off when not in use to preserve your vehicle's battery
- Efficient – The 4500-lb. rated line pull powered by a 1.6-horsepower (12-volt) DC motor has a line speed of 4.6 feet per minute with a full load, and 12.8 feet per minute with no load
Ayleid 4500 Lbs Electric Winch – best truck winch
5500 Pounds Pull Rate
ZEAK Advanced 5500 Electric PowerSports Winch – best truck winch
- Come with the 4-way roller fairlead; a Mounting Bracket and the clevis hook
- This exceptional pulling capacity of 5500 pounds ATV / UTV winch with ultra durable galvanized steel wire rope
8000 Pounds Pull Rate
WARN 103250 VR EVO Electric Winch – best truck winch
- Standard duty winch with a steel cable and an 8, 000 lb. capacity; Ideal for 2-door jeeps and lighter SUVs for everyday pulls
- Powerful series-wound motor and planetary gear train deliver faster line speed under load, with lower amp draw
WARN 26502 8000 Lbs Winch – best truck winch
This is the winch Jeep owners swear by thanks to its powerful 8000 lbs pull capacity and 100 feet of wire rope. The power and length of rope makes this a versatile piece of equipment fit for all sorts of applications. The next time you’re out off-roading, check out the winches on the Jeeps present, chances are, they’re sporting the WARN 26502 on their rigs.
- Stock to mild exterior exhaust tone
- Reduced Interior resonance
9500 Pounds Pull Rate
Super Winch 1595200 Tiger Shark 9500 Lbs Winch – best truck winch
The Super Winch 1595200 Tiger Shark 9500 Lbs Winch is one of the most affordable winches out there without sacrificing its performance. This makes it a good candidate for being the best truck winch in the market today.
- Rated line pull of 9,500 lbs
- 5.2 HP motor
10000 Pounds Pull Rate
ZEAK 10000 Lbs Waterproof Electric Winch – best truck winch
- Waterproof and advanced solenoid
- Durable Synthetic Rope
SmittyBilt X2O Comp Waterproof Winch – best truck winch
- ABOUT SB98510 X2O GEN2 10K WATERPROOF WIRELESS WINCH: The Smittybilt X2O Comp Gen2 Winch is one of the best-performing and most powerful on the market. With a line pull capacity of 10,000 pounds and a 6.6 HP motor, the X20 is more than capable in many off-road applications. The X20's optimized gear ratios result in faster line speeds 218:1, to be exact and it's equipped with sturdy synthetic cable.
- TECHNICHAL FEATURES: Not Vehicle Specific / Rated line pull = 10,000lbs. (4,545kgs) Single Line / Motor: 6.6hp Series Wound / Control: Remote Switch, 12 ft. (3.7m) lead / Gear Train: 3-Stage Planetary / Clutch: Sliding Ring Gear / Brake: Automatic Out-Of-Drum / Drum Size: Diameter 2.5 inch / Cable: 98.5 feet 3/8-inch Diameter / Cable type: synthetic rope
SuperWinch 1510200 LP10000 Winch – best truck winch
The Super Winch 1510200 can pull 10,000 pounds with its 12 VDC/5.1HP motor. That is more than enough for most people looking for a powerful winch. This is considered as one of the best electric truck winches in the market today for its power and extra features. If that’s not enough, it has a 2-year warranty to back up its quality.
- 12 VDC/5.1 hp weather-sealed series wound motor with a 10,000-lb pull rating
- 85' of 3/8" steel wire rope with heavy-duty latched hook and rope thimble and automatic, mechanical load holding braking
If you ever find yourself knee-deep in mud or snow, you’ll be glad you had these winches installed on your pickup truck. These can easily pull large off-road vehicles back on track. So if your vehicle weighs lower than 5,000 lbs, you’ll be glad you had this.
If your vehicle is above 5,000 lbs but below the 10,000 pound weight limit, you can use these winches to drag yourself out of any sticky situation with your engine assisting the winch.
Heavy-Duty Winches
These are the alpha dogs in the best truck winch category. These are the winches you call in to pull the heaviest loads. The downside to these winches is that they are also the heaviest. You will need to modify your truck to accommodate these beasts of burden.
12000 Pounds Pull Rate
WARN 95960 Zeon Platinum 12500 Lbs – best truck winch
One would argue that this is the best truck winch in the world today. it is the right size, has the right amount of power, and is durable to boot. It has a pull rate of 12,000 pounds which allows you to handle the heaviest loads with ease.
It also comes with 80 feet of Spydura pro synthetic rope to lessen its overall weight without sacrificing its inherent capabilities as a capable winch. Add the fact that it is dust resistant and weatherproof and you have a winch suitable for the most extreme conditions.
Last but not least, it has a remote feature so you can operate this winch at a safe distance when you’re out mudding, bogging, sanding, or driving in deep snow.
- Advanced Wireless Remote operates winch, reads motor temperature, reads up to two additional accessories and comes with and USB charging cable and car charger adapter
- Designed to keep dust and water out with an IP68 Waterproof Rating
13000 Pounds Pull Rate
OpenRoad 13000 Lbs Waterproof Electric Winch – best truck winch
- ✔The OPENROAD NP series 13000lbs electric winch is specially designed for people who love off-road. It has strong pulling force and is suitable for most 4×4 vehicles, SUVs, trunks and trailers. No Matter what kind of road
- ✔Powerful source of power: A 6.0 HP wound series motor, a full metal 3-stage planetary gear system and gear reduction ratio is 265：1. The perfect cooperation makes the winch more powerful and faster.
VEVOR Electric Truck Winch 13000 Lbs With Remote Control – best truck winch
Orcish 13000 Lbs Waterproof Electric Winch – best truck winch
- 【𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐔𝐒𝐄】Two modes of operation Remote or Manually. Easy to operate and well-functioning wireless remote helps to operate the recovery process efficiently within 50 ft range.
- 【𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍】This model is specially designed for ATV/UTV. 3500 lbs weight capacity is also a good option. Our kit contains a wealth of accessories to meet your needs, you do not need to buy additional tools.
Ayleid 13000 Lbs Waterproof Electric Winch – best truck winch
Fiery Red 13000 Lbs Electric Winch With Remote Control – best truck winch
- 【13000 LBS VERSATILE WINCH KITS】FieryRed synthetic winch has a 6.6 HP permanent magnet DC motor, with 3-stage planetary gear system and a gear reduction ratio of 256:1 guarantee reliable pulling muscle for ATV and UTV. Unlike the deceptive labeling of employing a 6.6HP motor into a 13,000 lbs winch, the electric winch is authentic in pulling strength.
- 【EXCELLENT TOUGHNESS】FieryRed ATV/UTV electric winch made of powder coated heavy-duty steel, winch has rust and corrosion resistant. The breaking strength of synthetic rope is 23,809 pounds, and it is equipped with an automatic brake to maintain strong grip. The IP67 waterproof winch structure can isolate components from all sensitive components, including motors and solenoids.
ZEAK 13000 Lbs Premium Waterproof Electric Winch With Wireless Remote Control – best truck winch
- Winch Load Capacity: 13,000 Pounds with strong pulling
- Equipped with the stronger synthetic rope
If you’re planning on installing these heavy-duty winches, investing in an equally capable floor jack will prove a good combination when you’re off-roading. With these two and the power of your truck’s engine, no terrain is impossible to conquer.
Conclusion
We’re hoping you’ll find the best truck winch in the list we’ve provided. As you can see, we’ve included winches of all shapes, sizes, and weight capacities. Match the one you need with your vehicle and needs to get the most out of your installed winch.
If you want to learn more about the best truck winch to install, you can check out this article: How To Get A Truck Unstuck With These Winches.
Before we end this, make sure you practice using your winch and always wear safety gear for your protection.
Related Questions
Can My Heavy-Duty Truck Drive For Uber?
Certainly. Some people fancy riding in an enormous truck for kicks. But, there are conditions set by Uber that you should abide by. First, your truck should have a good track record with the DMV. Next, it shouldn’t be older than a decade old. Last, it should have four doors for easy ingress and egress.
To learn more about driving your pickup for Uber, here’s a guide: Can Pickup Trucks Drive For Uber?
What Other Safety Items Can I Install Or Should Have In My Truck?
There are several items you should have in your pickup truck. The first one is to have the right floor jack to lift your vehicle with. Here’s a guide for that: Get The Best Floor Jack, Car Jack, And Jack Stands For Your Garage.
Next, in emergency situations, you’d want to be able to reach out to those who can provide a helping hand. That’s usually Triple A or other truckers within the immediate area. A CB radio will help you communicate with others.
Last but not least, if you have children riding with you, you’ll need a carseat to keep them safe. You can find one here: Can You Put A Carseat In A Pickup Truck?
Would A Tesla Cybertruck Benefit From Having A Winch Installed?
Definitely. On its own, the Tesla Cybertruck is already considered a very formidable vehicle. It has the power and durability extraordinary challenges on the road. It also has a suspension system that is rated for off-road use. Should you ever get stuck in a ditch or in snow, having the best truck winch installed will help free you from these sticky situations.
Get to know more about the Tesla Cybertruck through these related articles:
- Tesla Cybertruck Success: The Top Things Tesla Can Do To Make It Happen
- Unveiling The Tesla Cybertruck: What You Need to Know
- Demo Goes Wrong: Tesla Cybertruck Shatterproof Window Shatters
- The Crazy Tesla Cybertruck: Detailing the Interior, Exterior and Price
- An In Depth Look At The Tesla Cybertruck: The Potential Pros And Cons
- New Tesla Cybertruck: The Reinvented Pickup Truck
- Tesla Cybertruck May Be The Game-Changer For The Truck Industry
- The Outrageous Tesla Cybertruck: Not Your Average Pickup
- Tesla Cybertruck: Is It Worth The Price?
- Internet Reacts To Tesla Cybertruck Design: Find Out Why
- 3 Reasons Why The Tesla Cybertruck Is Practical